#cloud strategy 2025

[servicestech]

Discover how to build a successful cloud strategy in 2025 with expert tips, key steps, and best practices. Learn how to align your cloud adoption with business goals, reduce costs, and boost performance.

[jcmarchi]

Samsung AI strategy delivers record revenue despite semiconductor headwinds

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/samsung-ai-strategy-delivers-record-revenue-despite-semiconductor-headwinds/

Samsung AI strategy delivers record revenue despite semiconductor headwinds

Samsung Electronics’ strategic focus on AI has delivered high revenue in the first quarter of 2025, as the South Korean tech giant navigates semiconductor market challenges and growing global trade uncertainties.

The company posted an all-time quarterly high revenue of KRW 79.14 trillion ($55.4 billion), marking a 10% increase year-over-year, according to its financial results released on Wednesday. Operating profit climbed to KRW 6.7 trillion ($4.68 billion), representing a modest 1.5% increase compared to the same period last year.

The results exceeded Samsung’s earlier forecast of KRW 79 trillion and analysts’ expectations.

Smartphone success counters chip challenges

The Mobile Experience (MX) Business emerged as the best performer, contributing KRW 37 trillion in consolidated revenue and KRW 4.3 trillion in operating profit – its highest level in four years. The success was driven primarily by strong sales of the flagship Galaxy S25 series, which features AI abilities via Galaxy AI.

“Enhanced cost competency and price declines for some components also contributed to solid double-digit profitability,” the company’s earnings report said.

In contrast, Samsung’s Device Solutions (DS) Division, which includes its semiconductor operations, posted KRW 25.1 trillion in revenue and KRW 1.1 trillion in operating profit – a 42% decline from the previous year. The performance reflects ongoing challenges in the semiconductor market, particularly in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) sales.

“Overall earnings were impacted by the erosion of average selling price (ASP), as well as a decrease in HBM sales due to export controls on AI chips and deferred demand in anticipation of upcoming enhanced HBM3E products,” Samsung said.

Trade tensions cloud future outlook

Despite the record revenue, Samsung has expressed caution about the second quarter, dropping its usual business outlook due to growing macroeconomic uncertainties stemming from global trade tensions and slowing economic growth.

“Due to the rapid changes in policies and geopolitical tensions among major countries, it’s difficult to accurately predict the business impact of tariffs and established countermeasures,” a Samsung executive stated during Wednesday’s earnings call.

Of particular concern are US President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs, most of which have been suspended until July but threaten to impact dozens of countries including Vietnam and South Korea, where Samsung produces smartphones and displays.

While Samsung noted that its flagship products like semiconductors, smartphones, and tablets are currently exempt from these tariffs, the company revealed that Washington is conducting a product-specific tariff probe into these categories.

“There are a lot of uncertainties ahead of us […] we are communicating with related countries to minimise negative effects,” Samsung said during the call.

In response to its challenges, the company disclosed it is considering relocating production of TVs and home appliances.

AI investment and future strategy

Despite these headwinds, Samsung remains committed to its artificial intelligence strategy, allocating its highest-ever annual R&D expenditure for 2024. In the first quarter of 2025, the company increased R&D spending by 16% compared to the same period last year, amounting to KRW 9 trillion.

For the remainder of 2025, Samsung plans to expand its AI smartphone lineup through the introduction of “Awesome Intelligence” to the Galaxy A series and the launch of the Galaxy S25 Edge in Q2. Later in the year, the company will strengthen its foldable lineup with enhanced AI user experiences.

In the semiconductor space, Samsung aims to strengthen its position in the high-value-added market through its server-centric portfolio and the ramp-up of enhanced HBM3E 12H products to meet initial demand. The company expects AI-related demand to remain high in the second half of 2025, coinciding with the launch of new GPUs.

“In the mobile and PC markets, on-device AI is expected to proliferate, so the Memory Business will proactively respond to this shift in the business environment with its industry-leading 10.7Gbps LPDDR5x products,” Samsung stated.

The company’s foundry business remains focused on its 2nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) process development, which remains on schedule despite current challenges.

Market reaction and competitive landscape

Samsung shares were trading down approximately 0.6% following the announcement, reflecting investor concerns about the uncertain outlook.

The results highlight Samsung’s complex position in the AI market – succeeding in consumer-facing applications while working to catch up with competitors in AI-specific semiconductor components.

Local rival SK Hynix, which reported a 158% jump in operating profit last week to KRW 7.4 trillion, has overtaken Samsung in overall DRAM market revenue for the first time, capturing 36% global market share compared to Samsung’s 34%, according to Counterpoint Research.

SK Hynix’s success has been particularly pronounced in the high-bandwidth memory segment, which is crucial for AI server applications.

“Samsung has assumed that the uncertainties are diminished, it expects its performance to improve in the second half of the year,” the company noted, striking a cautiously optimistic tone despite the challenges ahead.

Samsung’s record revenue masks a pivotal crossroads for the tech giant: while its AI-enhanced smartphones flourish, its once-dominant semiconductor business risks falling behind in the AI revolution.

The coming quarters will reveal whether Samsung’s massive R&D investments can reclaim lost ground in HBM chips, or if we’re witnessing a fundamental power shift in Asian tech manufacturing that could alter the global AI supply chain for years to come.

For a company that rebuilt itself numerous times over its 56-year history, the AI semiconductor race may prove to be its most consequential transformation yet.

(Image credit: Anthropic)

See also: Baidu ERNIE X1 and 4.5 Turbo boast high performance at low cost

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

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[semanticlp]

Coforge Technologies Australia Completes 100% Acquisition of TMLabs Pty Ltd

Coforge Limited has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Coforge Technologies Australia Pty Ltd, has successfully completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of TMLabs Pty Ltd, in line with the terms of the Share Sale Agreement previously disclosed on March 5, 2025. This acquisition marks the formal closure of the transaction, wherein Coforge Technologies Australia has…

[vastedge330]

Discover a step-by-step guide to cloud migration in 2025, covering various types and best practices to ensure a smooth and efficient cloud transition for businesses.

[wavesoutbeingtossed]

admittedly I’ve stopped following what’s happening beyond the broad strokes, but for anyone still interested in Blake’s case, there have been some developments on this Friday afternoon (of course).

Blake’s team is seeking a protective order against Baldoni’s about its continuing demands for Blake’s communications with Taylor even though it withdrew its subpoenas because it claimed it had got everything it needed to the press, while at the same time it is continuing to refuse to produce documents it is supposed to submit to Blake’s.

As per Taylor’s lawyer’s email to counsel, no documents were ever produced for Baldoni’s subpoena. In other words, nobody on her team ever turned anything over to Baldoni’s.

This is the relevant bit from Blake’s filing, about Baldoni’s team’s claims that they received communications from Taylor’s team:

Later on May 22, 2025, counsel for Ms. Lively emailed counsel for the Wayfarer Parties about the public statements, interpreted “to mean either that (1) the intent of the Wayfarer Parties’ subpoena, since our understanding is that they obtained no discoverable materials as part of this process, was to introduce scandalous allegations about Ms. Lively and her counsel into the public domain to generate negative stories, or (2) the Wayfarer Parties have received materials responsive to their subpoena, which would come as a surprise given that no materials have been provided to us.” Ex. B. The same email explained that any discovery that the Wayfarer Parties or their counsel obtained concerning Ms. Lively from any third party would be responsive to properly served RFPs. To date, the Wayfarer Parties have not responded to the email, and have not produced any productions from Ms. Swift. Further, the parties have an agreement to produce documents obtained via third party subpoenas to each other promptly upon receipt, which would clearly apply to these documents, if any, notwithstanding the withdrawal of the subpoena.

If I’m understanding Blake’s team’s filing today, its argument is that if Baldoni’s team refused to produce the documents to Blake’s team it received re: communications with Taylor (that it claimed to have to the press), it’s because they don’t actually exist. E.g., Baldoni’s team did not actually “get” anything from Taylor’s team, because there was nothing to produce, and its continued statements to the press that it got “exactly what [it] need[ed]” from Taylor is once again just more smear tactics in the press to cloud the case.

ETA: yes that is exactly what they’re alleging in their email correspondence with Baldoni’s counsel.

Blake’s team is claiming that Baldoni’s is continuing to invoke Taylor’s involvement in the case even though it has been established she has none in order to court the press as per its original strategy document from August 2024.

ETA 2: Taylor’s lawyer confirms there were no documents produced to Baldoni’s team:

Counsel – Please be advised that the Venable Subpoena and the Taylor Swift Subpoena have been withdrawn by counsel for the Wayfarer Parties without prejudice to them timely serving subpoenas in the future should they decide to do so (all parties reserving all rights). No documents are being produced and no deposition is being scheduled. Accordingly, we will be notifying the Court that our motion to quash is moot. Thank you. Doug

[satoshi-mochida]

Roguelike action game Reverie in the Moonlight announced for PC - Gematsu

Publisher and developer room6 has announced Reverie in the Moonlight, a roguelike action game where players, along with their stuffed animals, must defend themselves from the monsters that attack in the night. It will launch for PC via Steam in 2025.

Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:

About

What if this dream never ended? What if we could dream it together? Reverie in the Moonlight is an action game where, with the help of your stuffed animals, you try to defend yourself from the monsters attacking you night after night.

Nightly Visits

Little Tete’s nights are restless. His dreams are full of horrible monsters attacking him. But then, one night, he meets Luna, and she teaches him how to use his plushies to defend himself.

Cute But Strong

When faced with a monster, Tete can only do one thing: run away. His plushies, however, can actually fight and defeat monsters. Different animals play different roles, with some focusing on short-range attacks, some on long-range shots, and some on supporting their allies. There are 40 types to choose from, so find your favorites and help them protect Tete from the monsters.

Ham Jr. – Runs left and right, hitting monsters that get too close with a stick.

Snoozy-G – Enjoys sleeping, napping, and resting. Monsters that hit it are slowed down for a while.

Striped Angel – When it sees someone in trouble, it always wants to help. It heals Tete up from a distance.

Collect and Strategize

After the monsters’ attack is over, you can shop with the gold you found. You can get new plushies and even buy special items that can make you stronger. Some of them will also give you new weaknesses, so it’s up to you to strategize and prepare for the next attack in the best way possible. There are more than 100 items in the game… Will you be able to collect them all?

Change Clothes to Change Strategies

So, you’ve played the game’s story to the end. Well done. But this is just the start! You can change Tete’s clothes, choosing from more than 20 costumes. Each one makes him stronger in some ways and weaker in others. If you want to help Tete defeat his nightmares, you’ll have to find the right plushies and items to go with each costume!

Moonlight Wizard – Plushies with long-range attacks become stronger, but Tete can only use those. Defending yourself becomes harder, so you’ll have to defeat monsters before they can get close.

Nap Cloud – Increasing attack power becomes difficult, but plushies that don’t move around attack twice as fast. Try to find as many stationary friends as you can.

Doggy Friend – Tete can only use dog plushies. If you want to win, you’ll need to make good use of their fast respawn speed.

Watch the announcement trailer below.

Official Trailer

English

Japanese

Traditional Chinese

Simplified Chinese

[reading-writing-revolution]

Over the past week I’ve had two big takes: The clouds are darkening, and the opposition is assembling.

Trump’s first 90 days have been both chaotic and predictable. Shortly after Trump’s election, we predicted he would overreach by steamrolling through Project 2025. We warned that our only effective strategy to halt the slide into authoritarianism depends on unified opposition. We recommended people organize that opposition on the ground. Since then we’ve seen a wave of methodical grassroots organizing that has produced the fastest growth in new locally led Indivisible groups since we started Indivisible more than 8 years ago.

But that opposition movement in Congress was flat-footed, in the words of one US Representative. In response to this “roll over and play dead” strategy, Trump did not moderate or slow down. He empowered his top donor, Elon Musk, to ransack the federal government. Together they dismantled agencies and defunded programs for special needs students, cancer researchers, and disaster preparedness. They have menaced the press, the business community, the law firms, the universities, the courts, America’s closest international partners, and the American public itself. 

When the bullies found lax opposition, they escalated their bullying.

We are building a unified opposition. In the days after the inauguration this year, Representatives like Maxwell Frost, Jamie Raskin, and Jasmine Crockett joined us at a boisterous rally outside the DOGE-ransacked US Treasury building. Frost asked the crowd, “Are we the minority or are we the opposition?” Chris Murphy has consistently been on the front lines using every bullhorn he can find to shout “THIS IS AN EMERGENCY.” Cory Booker gave the longest speech in history of the US Senate to bring attention to the crisis. AOC and Bernie have drawn enormous crowds for their anti-Oligarchy tour in red and blue states.

Days ago, Sen. Chris Van Hollen flew to El Salvador to meet with a Maryland father of three who Trump had disappeared to a torture prison. Van Hollen lambasted California Governor Gavin Newsom for calling the camps a distraction, “anybody who can't stand up for the Constitution and the right of due process doesn't deserve to lead.” When House Republicans tried to prevent House Dems from making similar trips, the Dems told them to shove it. 

In a moment like this, leaders of institutions, leaders of communities, and leaders in elective office are all looking around to see which way the people are going. Faced with a set of ridiculous demands from Trump, Harvard University boldly, clearly, and defiantly said NO. We have heard from credible sources who were organizing at Harvard, that their oppositional stance was directly influenced by the massive, peaceful, April 5 Hands Off! protests around the world. We have heard from our friends on Capitol Hill that the rolling waves of mass protest and town halls and empty chair town halls are injecting some courage into the halls of Congress. Organized people power is turning the tide -- it’s not happening all at once, or as fast as we might like, but it’s happening.

Regardless of what they throw at us -- we will organize. We desperately need this unified opposition to take shape, because the clouds continue to darken. In response to Harvard’s defiance, Trump escalated his bullying -- threatening to take away the university’s tax status. Inside DC and across the country, rumors are swirling that Trump could be coming after political opponents in nonprofits in the coming days. The rumored executive orders may target climate groups on Earth Day (tomorrow), or perhaps more broadly seeking to neutralize any nonprofits that could be seen as a threat.

At Indivisible, we are tracking this closely and will be responding quickly when and if these escalations against civil society materialize. But regardless of what comes, I want to be clear: Indivisible will not back down from peacefully and aggressively organizing the opposition to these power-hungry, money-grubbing authoritarians. If something big goes down in the coming days -- we will be communicating over email, text, and on BlueSky: Find me, Leah, and Indivisible there. And come hell or high water you can find me and Leah on a weekly live Whats The Plan discussion at 3pm ET on Thursdays. 

Courage is contagious. Read on to Indivisible’s weekly action items to help spread it around.

-- Ezra Levin Co-Executive Director, Indivisible

[servicestech]

Discover how Salesforce helps professional services enhance client engagement, automate workflows, and boost ROI in 2025 with AI-powered CRM solutions.

Read more: https://salesforcetechmatrix.blogspot.com/2025/03/maximizing-client-engagement-with.html

[shopaholicsrus]

Looking for the perfect geek gifts in 2025? Whether it’s tech gadgets, collectibles, or gaming must-haves, we’ve got the ultimate gift guide for geeks. Explore these trending products and shop directly from Amazon for the best deals.

1. Starfield Limited-Edition Xbox Controller

Elevate your gaming experience with this space-inspired Xbox controller. Its premium design and textured grips make it a standout for both gaming and display.

Why It’s Awesome: Combines a cosmic aesthetic with top-tier functionality.

2. Anbernic RG35XX Handheld Retro Console

Relive the golden age of gaming with this portable retro console. Emulate classic titles from NES, PS1, and more on the go.

Why It’s Awesome: Offers a massive library of retro games in a sleek package.

3. Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 Portable Projector

Transform any space into your personal theater with this compact projector. Supports Xbox Cloud Gaming for seamless entertainment.

Why It’s Awesome: Perfect for movie nights, gaming, or outdoor events.

4. LEGO Star Wars UCS Venator-Class Star Destroyer

This 5,000+ piece LEGO set is a dream come true for Star Wars fans. Includes exclusive minifigures like Captain Rex.

Why It’s Awesome: An intricate build and a centerpiece-worthy collectible.

5. Funko Pop! Stranger Things – Eddie Munson Guitar Solo Deluxe

Capture the iconic Stranger Things moment with this highly detailed Funko Pop! figure.

Why It’s Awesome: Perfect for collectors and fans of the Netflix hit.

6. Iron Man Mark III Die-Cast Action Figure

Own a piece of Marvel magic with this die-cast Iron Man figure. Features light-up functions and interchangeable parts.

Why It’s Awesome: High-quality craftsmanship for collectors.

7. Gloomhaven: Second Edition

Dive into epic adventures with the updated Gloomhaven board game. Features improved art and streamlined rules.

Why It’s Awesome: Perfect for strategy game enthusiasts.

8. Dungeons & Dragons: Keys from the Golden Vault

Add fresh heist-themed campaigns to your D&D sessions with this adventure book.

Why It’s Awesome: Engaging new content for Dungeon Masters and players.

9. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Box Set

Complete your manga library with this beautifully packaged Demon Slayer box set.

Why It’s Awesome: A must-have for anime and manga lovers.

10. Studio Ghibli Totoro Bento Box

Bring the magic of Studio Ghibli to life with this charming Totoro Bento box. Charming designs from Totoro adorn this wonderful reusable Bento box.

Why It’s Awesome: Combines nostalgia with artistry.

Why These Geek Gifts Are Trending in 2025

These gifts celebrate the intersection of technology, nostalgia, and creativity. Whether it’s for a gamer, collector, or pop culture enthusiast, each item on this list is designed to bring joy to any geek.

Shop the Best Gifts for Geeks on Amazon Today!

[coimbrabertone]

Motorsports Christmas: An After-Action Report.

May 26th, 2024 was one of the biggest days in motorsports, and it was freaking exhausting in the best ways possible.

So, everybody knows that the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 are on the same day, well, the Charlotte 600 is on that day too, making for the triple. This year, the Catalan Motorcycle Grand Prix also fell on that weekend, so there was a quadruple of racing, and I was ready to watch it all.

I woke up around 5:30am - the joys of the Mountain Time zone - in time to watch MotoGP at 6am. Aleix Espargaro took pole on the factory Aprilia and Raul Fernandez on the Trackhouse Aprilia satellite bike lined up third, but it was Pecco Bagnaia in second that turned into the protagonist of the race. Bagnaia held off the likes of Jorge Martin, Marc Marquez, and Aleix Espargaro behind to take a calculated victory.

I was happy for Bagnaia, however, with Jorge Martin in second having a dominant championship lead, it did sort of feel like a pyrrhic victory. Bagnaia gives this controlled, smart victory ride but it doesn't really matter since he only scored five more points over his main championship rival. Add in the fact that Marc Marquez, who is toe-to-toe with Bagnaia in the fight for second, finished third. This means that Bagnaia leaves the Catalan Grand Prix 39 points behind Martin and just 2 ahead of Marquez.

That's not even the worst part.

Enea Bastianini - the rider I support - kinda had a meltdown this race. First, he starts eleventh, loses places off the start, and then got pushed off at turn one by Alex Marquez. Enea cuts the track to rejoin, receives a long lap penalty, refuses to serve it. He then gets gets pushed off again in a second attempt. Enea receives a double long-lap penalty for failing to serve the penalty, serves one but not the other, and then gets a thirty second penalty post race.

In his interviews, he called it a protest against unfair stewarding decisions.

On track, it led to him finishing eighteenth and out of the points.

This is particularly devastating as Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez - the guys in second and third - are fighting to take his seat for 2025. I already did a blogpost about this a few weeks ago and I have a lot to get to today, so I'll keep this brief, but yesterday was not a good day for Enea Bastianini.

The Monaco Grand Prix also happened. Swiftly moving on...

Joking. I'm joking. Monaco was actually pretty good this year. The Ferraris and McLarens qualified 1-3 and 2-4, respectively, so we got a fight between them rather than Red Bull dominance. Unfortunately, they decided to fight by going as slow as possible to prevent anyone else from pitting once they all got a free change of tyres under red following a scary first lap incident between Sergio Perez and the two Haas cars.

Still, it was a fight between Ferrari and McLaren and the top seven all put a lap on eighth place. That was as vintage F1 as you could get. It was also at vintage speeds with them running around four seconds off the pace, but hey, strategy shenanigans are fun.

Charles Leclerc won and proceeded to drop the Monegasque flag in front of the Prince of Monaco, twice. That is objectively funny and probably my favorite F1 moment of the weekend.

So, the Indianapolis 500.

Normally it would start shortly after Monaco, however, a rain front in Indianapolis delayed the 500 into the afternoon. This would wreck Kyle Larson's attempt to do the full 1100 mile double at Indy and Charlotte - more on that later - but it did actually lead to some great moments for me personally. Spending the hours in discords with other motorsports fans talking about when the rain might stop, when the track might dry out, when the race should start, whether Larson would stay or go...it all gave a very wholesome, community feel that I really enjoyed.

Then the race itself. It was amazing.

The clouds cleared, we got a partly cloudy afternoon with filled grandstands and a full 500-mile race around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We got a little bit of everything. Crashes (where thankfully nobody was hurt), engine failures, competing fuel strategies, sixteen different leaders - that's half the field! - and a last lap, penultimate corner pass for the win.

Now, I'm an Arrow McLaren fan. Alexander Rossi was a driver who I followed in F1 because I was excited at the prospect of seeing the first American driver in a decade. Rossi's F1 hopes with Marussia didn't work out, but he went on to Indycar and won the Indy 500 in his first attempt. Between the peak Andretti years where he had the knife between his teeth bringing the fight to the likes of Josef Newgarden and Scott Dixon, to now, where he's in that beautiful #7 white and orange McLaren, bringing the fight to the likes of...Josef Newgarden and Scott Dixon.

Then there's Pato O'Ward, the exciting, young, charismatic Mexican charger in the #5, driving an awesome orange and black car. It's perfect, he and Rossi have night and day cars, and they were slingshot passing each other in the Indianapolis 500 to save fuel. That was the happiest I was during the race, watching my two favorite Indycar drivers in my favorite team leading 1-2.

Then Alexander Rossi made his final pitstop for fuel.

They were racing to keep track position, so they fueled him just a bit short, and I fear that ultimately decided the course of the race.

Josef Newgarden cycled out in front at the end of the fuel cycle, Alexander Rossi attacked first, got in front, but immediately got overtaken again as he had to save a bit of fuel. Rossi would try again, but Newgarden would nose ahead, as would Pato O'Ward.

Pato O'Ward was a student of the Indy 500, so he knew he had to make the pass as late as possible to ensure that Josef Newgarden wouldn't be able to respond. Pato would lift in turn one on a number of final laps to stay second and keep the draft, before finally making the attack in turn one on the final lap...only for Josef Newgarden to come back at him in turn three.

There was nothing Pato could've done at that point.

Josef made the pass in turn three, got a good exit off turn four, and Pato didn't get enough of a draft to the finish line in order to stop him. Pato was rightfully devastated, Rossi ended up in fourth, behind the lead two in addition to third placed Scott Dixon, as a result of his fuel strategy.

It was utterly devastating.

But that's motorsport. The days that you lose are what make the days that you win more meaningful. The Indianapolis 500 happened in its entirety despite all the rain and the worries. Not only that, but NBC is saying that the preliminary ratings look to be over 5 million viewers for the race. A last lap pass, a back-to-back winner, and a ratings bump over last year. As much as I wish Pato or Rossi could've won that race, I've spent the last day making my peace with it. For now, I'll just be happy that Indycar as a sport snatched a victory from the jaws of defeat.

Then there was the Coke 600 at Charlotte.

I tuned in late thanks to the late Indianapolis 500, and I was pretty emotionally drained at this point, but a charge from Brad Keselowski at the end of the second stage got me motivated again. Brad Keselowski, the owner-driver of the #6 for the team I support in NASCAR - Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, also known as RFK Racing - pushed his way up the field. He moved into second, and he was hunting down the leader, Christopher Bell.

I began to believe that, after a 1,113-day winless streak, Brad Keselowski would win two races in three weeks.

Unfortunately, as soon as he caught up to the back of Bell, it started raining.

To add insult to injury, Kyle Larson, who had run the Indianapolis 500 earlier that day and completed all 500 miles, finishing 18th after a pitlane speeding penalty, had just arrived at Charlotte. He was about to take over the #5 from replacement driver Justin Allgaier, only he never got the chance.

At this point, I was emotionally drained after three and a half races, so at around 8:45pm, I fully embraced my grandmother era and went to bed.

That wound up being the right decision, because despite waiting out the rain and attempting to dry the track, NASCAR would end up calling the race anyway when they hit the end of Fox's TV window. Christopher Bell would win the race, Brad Keselowski would have to settle for second.

I quite literally missed nothing by going to bed when I did.

So, I sorta got the result I wanted at Catalunya, a full-on positive result at Monaco, and narrowly had my picks finish second at both Indianapolis and Charlotte.

In the grand scheme of things, that's not a bad Motorsports Christmas.

And on June 14th and 15th, we have Motorsports New Years with the 24 Hours of Le Mans, so the Racing Holidays aren't quite over.

[vastedge330]

https://www.bloglovin.com/@vastedge/2025-trends-for-microsoft-azure-cloud-12827916

Explore the upcoming trends for Microsoft Azure Cloud in 2025. This blog post delves into the key developments and innovations expected to shape the Azure landscape, including advancements in AI, enhanced security features, and new service offerings. Stay ahead of the curve with insights into how these trends could impact your cloud strategy and drive future growth.

[arknights-global-news]

[Global] Integrated Strategies Season 5 and Chinese New Year Rewards

Duration: February 14 - Variable

Official Event Page

Wiki.gg Event Page

Event summary below

New Operator

Tin Man - 5* Alchemist Specialist

Joint Operation Banner

During the event, the Targeted Operator Headhunting, [Joint Operation] opens and ONLY the following Operators will appear in the 6★ and 5★ Operator List of this Standard Headhunting:

★★★★★★: Horn / Qiubai / Degenbrecher / Ascalon

★★★★★: Leto / Vendela / Cement / Fang the Fire-Sharpened / Greyy the Lightningbearer / Wind Chimes

New Skins

Among the Clouds - Ptilopsis (18 OP)

Moon Under the Pines (18 OP)

Rerun Skins

Clouds Float Like Ideas of Art - Lunacub (18 OP)

Login Event

A 7 day login event will include event furniture and other items.

Profile Themes (paid)

Several Ambience Synesthesia profile themes, as well as the Alluring Moonlight theme, will be available for $5 USD each in the shop, and the Charming Vista theme will be available for 18 OP.

Miscellaneous

Dorothy's Vision will be available in Side Stories on Feb 14, 2025

A Death in Chunfen will be available in Side Stories on Feb 21, 2025

Rhine Experimental Culture Pod furniture pieces will be available from Feb 14 on.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Over half of IT leaders in Brazil struggle to hire skilled cybersecurity talent

Survey with 208 managers and directors in Brazil underscores poor level of cybersecurity academic training

Half (50%) of cybersecurity leaders in Brazil believe that universities do not adequately prepare professionals for the industry, while 30% observe that degrees provide only “minimal” preparation. The lack of proper academic training has a direct impact on companies: 56% report difficulties in finding qualified information security talent, and 38% face challenges hiring specialists in niche areas such as cyber threat analysis and cloud application protection.

The data comes from a survey completed in February 2025 by Rooby, a consultancy specializing in tech recruiting for mid and high-level leadership roles. The study surveyed 208 IT leaders in Brazil, with the majority being managers (73%) and directors (14%) who helm cybersecurity teams of more than 15 members (34%)—23% work in large corporations with 5,001 to 10,000 employees.

“Respondents highlight the lack of practical alignment from academic training with industry work, particularly in high-demand skills within companies, such as cloud security, artificial intelligence [AI], machine learning, and zero trust architecture,” explains Rooby co-founder Diego Barbosa.

Mr. Barbosa says the complexity of data protection challenges requires greater involvement from the leadership, beyond just area heads. “C-level executives and HR departments need to support strategies that ensure the right talent for critical operations, given the increased difficulty in attracting resumes,” he analyzes.

Continue reading.

[bantenghoki-ganteng]

Bantenghoki – Strategi Digitalisasi Permainan Paling Aman, Edukatif, dan Menguntungkan di 2025

“Ketika teknologi, transparansi, dan semangat berbagi cuan berpadu, lahirlah ekosistem bernama Bantenghoki.”

Pendahuluan – Kekuatan Di Balik Nama “Bantenghoki”

Di tengah hiruk-pikuk industri permainan daring Indonesia, Bantenghoki menjelma menjadi mercusuar inovasi dan integritas. Nama Banteng melambangkan keberanian, sedangkan hoki identik dengan keberuntungan—kombinasi yang secara simbolik menegaskan misi platform: mempertemukan nyali, strategi, dan peluang finansial dalam satu ruang digital yang ramah pengguna. Selama lima tahun terakhir, Bantenghoki berhasil memosisikan diri sebagai portal tepercaya yang menyatukan hiburan, literasi keuangan, dan social impact. Artikel ini—ditulis khusus untuk memenuhi standar E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)—mengupas tuntas mengapa Bantenghoki pantas disebut strategi digitalisasi permainan paling aman, edukatif, dan menguntungkan pada 2025.

1 | Kerangka Besar E-E-A-T pada Ekosistem Bantenghoki

1.1 Experience – Bukti Lapangan yang Terverifikasi

2,9 juta akun aktif dengan retention rate 71 % YoY.

Rerata sesi bermain 17 menit—di atas standar industri 11–13 menit.

Studi longitudinal 2023-2025 menunjukkan 63 % pengguna Bantenghoki berhasil menambah side income bulanan rata-rata Rp1,2 juta berkat fitur manajemen bankroll otomatis.

1.2 Expertise – Talenta di Balik Layar

Chief Game Economist bergelar PhD dari Warwick Business School, spesialis psikologi risiko.

CTO eks-Google Cloud, pemegang 12 paten komputasi terdistribusi.

Responsible Gaming Director bersertifikat International Center for Responsible Gaming.

1.3 Authoritativeness – Sertifikasi & Aliansi

Lisensi ganda: PAGCOR (Filipina) dan Gaming Supervision Commission (Isle of Man).

Kemitraan strategis dengan Garena Esports, Xendit, dan Telkom Indonesia untuk infrastruktur latensi rendah.

1.4 Trustworthiness – Transparansi Data

Laporan Return-to-Player dipublikasikan real-time, dapat diunduh CSV.

Enkripsi AES-256 end-to-end; bug-bounty publik di HackerOne dengan plafon hadiah 50 000 USDT.

2 | Transformasi Digital Bantenghoki: Dari Platform ke Ekosistem

2.1 Arsitektur Cloud Native Multiregional

Bantenghoki menjalankan microservices di tiga availability zone—Jakarta, Singapura, Frankfurt—memastikan latency konsisten < 45 ms di Asia Tenggara. Otomatisasi autoscaling Kubernetes memungut metrics CPU, RAM, dan anomali trafik, menjaga uptime 99,995 %.

2.2 Integrasi Private Blockchain Ledger

Setiap transaksi dikanonkan ke side-chain Hyperledger Fabric. Fitur hash-explorer publik memungkinkan siapa pun memverifikasi histori deposit, taruhan, dan penarikan. Hasilnya, kepercayaan naik 24 % (survei internal 2024).

2.3 AI-Driven Personalization

Algoritma “Smart-Stake Advisor” mengukur profil risiko, lalu merekomendasikan nominal optimal untuk tiap permainan.

Realtime fraud detection memantau pola IP, device fingerprint, dan kecepatan input guna menekan chargeback hingga 0,05 %.

3 | Produk Unggulan Bantenghoki dan Nilai Tambahnya

KategoriSorotan FiturManfaat FinansialSportsbook ProMachine-learning odds + heat map cedera pemainPayout rata-rata 95,3 %Live Casino 4KStudio di Manila berbahasa Indonesia, latency < 200 msCashback harian 10 %Fantasy eSportsLiga MLBB & Valorant, draft otomatisHadiah musiman hingga Rp500 jutaQuick Game HTML5Tanpa unduhan, cocok 4GTurnover bonus mingguan 30 %Akademi CuanModul micro-credential UGMSertifikat + voucher deposit

Catatan: Seluruh game Bantenghoki lolos audit iTech Labs 2025; RNG-nya memenuhi standar ISO/IEC 17025.

4 | Bantenghoki Sebagai Mesin Cuan “Low-Margin ∙ High-Volume”

Dengan marjin rumah rata-rata 1,8 %, Bantenghoki memilih mengejar volume transaksi ketimbang margin lebar. Strategi ini menciptakan:

Likuiditas Tinggi – Penarikan < 10 menit karena arus kas sehat.

Ekosistem Afiliator – Program “Sahabat Banteng” memberi komisi 50 % NGR + lifetime revenue share.

Token BHO – Total suplai 100 juta; utilitas: top-up, biaya turnamen, dan staking pool 12 % APR.

5 | Blueprint User Journey yang Memanjakan Pemain

Registrasi – Formulir 9 field; selesai < 120 detik.

Verifikasi – Liveness check AI + e-KTP; akurasi 99,2 %.

Deposit – QRIS, VA, e-wallet, kripto (USDT, BNB).

Eksplorasi Game – Dashboard rekomendasi berbasis minat + tutorial video.

Penarikan – SLA 7 menit, 24/7; notifikasi push + email.

Feedback Loop – Net Promoter Score 72 (kategori “Excellent”).

6 | Analisis SEO 2025: Bagaimana Bantenghoki Merajai SERP

6.1 Peta Kata Kunci

Inti: Bantenghoki, login Bantenghoki, bonus Bantenghoki, Bantenghoki aman, daftar Bantenghoki.

LSI: sportsbook terpercaya, live casino Indonesia, eSports fantasi cuan.

6.2 On-Page Optimization

Skema GamblingOrganization + FAQPage.

Lighthouse Performance 96/100; Core Web Vitals (LCP 1,2 s, CLS 0,03).

6.3 Off-Page & E-E-A-T Signals

Guest post edukasi ke Tirto.id dan DailySocial.

Backlink editorial dari Kompas Tekno (DR 93) soal keamanan Blockchain Bantenghoki.

7 | Studi Kasus: “RiskiTrader” dan Kenaikan Modal 6 600 %

Modal awal: Rp750 000 (Feb 2023).

Portofolio per Mei 2025: Rp50,3 juta.

Kunci sukses: Disiplin flat betting + memanfaatkan cashback 20 % Sabtu.

Drawdown maksimum: –9,4 %.

Testimoni ini diverifikasi melalui statement transaksi dan wawancara daring; membuktikan bahwa Bantenghoki memfasilitasi pertumbuhan modal jika pengguna mempraktikkan manajemen risiko ketat.

8 | Responsible Gaming: Bantenghoki Memprioritaskan Kesehatan Finansial

Self-exclusion 1 hari–5 tahun.

Reality check pop-up tiap 60 menit.

Bantenghoki Careline—psikolog klinis siap 24 jam via WhatsApp & Telegram.

Persentase pemain yang mengaktifkan batas harian: 28 % (target 35 % pada 2026).

9 | Dampak Sosial Positif: Program “Banteng Peduli”

InisiatifPenerima ManfaatCapaian 2023-2025Beasiswa Data Science130 mahasiswaRp4,1 miliarRehabilitasi MangrovePesisir Demak50 000 bibitDigital Literacy Roadshow15 SMA di Jawa4 000 siswa

Bantenghoki menyisihkan 2 % laba bersih untuk CSR, mengukuhkan reputasinya sebagai pelopor ethical gaming.

10 | Roadmap Teknologi 2025–2027

KuartalFiturDeskripsiDampakQ4 2025AI-Voice BetTaruhan via perintah suara ber-NLPAksesibilitas difabelQ2 2026VR Casino 360°Studio Bali, streaming 8KImersi tinggiQ1 2027P2P Bet ExchangeTaruhan antar-user, fee 0,5 %Diversifikasi produkQ3 2027Green Server Migration100 % energi terbarukanESG scoring meningkat

[firstmileconsulting]

A New Address, A Bigger Dream: FirstMile Unveils Its New Office in Bangalore's Heartbeat

Bangalore, [21 April, 2025] — The energy was electric. The emotions were real. And the milestone — unforgettable.

In a moment charged with emotion, ambition, and the spirit of collective growth, FirstMile, a Meraqui company, has taken a bold new step by inaugurating its brand-new office in the bustling heart of Bangalore. More than just a physical move, this shift symbolizes our evolution — from ambition to action, from local impact to global reach, and from a growing team to a thriving movement in the world of value hiring.

The inauguration was more than just an event — it was a celebration of our people, purpose, and progress. Graced by FirstMile Founder & CEO Ashok Shatry, COO Srinivas Vatturi, Meraqui founders Dr. Shalin Maheshwari and Lalit Singh, and esteemed CXOs including Gautam Vohra (Chief Strategy & Growth Officer) and Prapti Mishra (Chief Marketing Officer), along with our dedicated team and special guests — the day truly reflected what we've built together and the exciting journey ahead.

A Space That Speaks to Our Mission

This new space, strategically located in Bangalore’s business and innovation corridor, enhances our ability to connect with current and future clients. Proximity matters — and being closer to our partners means deeper engagement, quicker turnarounds, and stronger collaborations.

For our team, the shift means shorter commutes, better work-life balance, and more energy focused on solving what truly matters — empowering businesses with the right talent, at the right time.

But beyond infrastructure and convenience, this office symbolizes something far greater: FirstMile’s commitment to making value hiring not just faster — but smarter, more human, and globally accessible.

What This Means for FirstMile

It’s more than a change of scenery. It’s a commitment.To dream bigger. To hire faster. To deliver better.

At the core of FirstMile’s success is a simple but powerful promise: To help companies hire the right talent 5x faster — with precision, integrity, and scale.

Leveraging 15+ years of global experience, FirstMile is helping organizations around the world build elite tech teams — from code to cloud. Whether it’s deploying agile development squads or cloud architects, we enable clients to move from idea to execution, faster than ever.

Our approach is unique:

Verified, tested, and proven candidates — pre-selected for skill and culture-fit

A human cloud of specialized professionals ready to step in

Affordable hiring models that optimize budgets without compromising quality

A consultative mindset that ensures we’re solving problems, not just filling positions

Here’s to the Road Ahead

This new office isn’t just walls and desks — it’s a launchpad. A place where big ideas will be born, where bold decisions will be made, and where the future of global hiring will continue to be shaped — by a team that believes in excellence and impact.

As we step into this new chapter, we carry with us the trust of our clients, the passion of our people, and the belief that every great business deserves great talent — delivered at speed and scale.

Welcome to FirstMile Bangalore. From here, we go global. 🌍🚀 CONTACT US : Firstmile Global